If you love seeing wildlife in natural habitats and witnessing epic landscapes first-hand, then perhaps it is time to plan a national park excursion in India. India has many national parks scattered around its various regions, and these places are home to some of the most amazing animal and plant species in the world. Although there are many national parks worth visiting around the country, here are 10 to get you started with your wild exploration of India.
Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh
One popular national park is Bandhavgarh National Park, which is well-known as a home of the Royal Bengal Tiger. Besides tigers, this park is also home to leopards, wild boar, deer, reptiles, and hundreds of species of birds. The landscapes here range from high cliffs to green valleys, and the park is a bit more challenging to get to than some others on this list. Various tour packages are offered here that include multi-day trips to see the tigers, capture great photographs, and experience the region. You can stay at high-end resorts like Mahua Kothi nearby, unique luxury resorts like the Tree House Hideaway Resort, or more economical standard resorts like the Mogli Jungle Resort when you visit the park. Plan to visit this park between November and May.
Sundarbans National Park, West Bengal
Located in West Bengal, Sunderbans National Park has a large concentration of Bengal tigers and is made up of water channels and mangrove forests. This is a large mangrove sanctuary that you can explore along the coast. You’ll explore this park by boat rather than by jeep or walking tour. Plan your trip between December and February to this park. You can typically find eco-friendly accommodations in the village here for your trip.
Great Himalayan National Park, Himachal Pradesh
The Great Himalayan National Park is the youngest national park in the country and has everything from glaciers to streams and forests. The park was made into a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014. It is a feast for the eyes and home to rare plants, birds, and mammals. If you’re patient, you may see a mountain goat on the cliffs, antelope, snow leopards, and many species of birds. The park is remote and rugged, so trekking through it should be reserved by physically fit and adventurous travelers. Visit this park between March and June or between September and November.
Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand
This is India’s first national park, and it is named after a tiger hunter who brought attention to this region. This is a place to see tigers, elephants, and other creatures in the wild. The landscapes are varied here, and it’s best to visit between November and May. This is a popular place to book a jeep safari with a local guide company to see some of the park’s four separate zones. You can also hire a local guide to trek through the park on foot.
Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan
Wild tigers also live in Ranthambore National Park, and guided safaris are offered here to help you see one for yourself. This is a large park, and the closest town is Sawai Madopur. However, it’s always very popular because of its proximity to Delhi. Hotel options nearby include Sherbagh, Tiger Den Resort, and Vanya Vilas Resort. Various tour options to see wildlife are offered. This park is best visited between November and March, and expect to have some crowds when you visit.
Gir Forest National Park, Gujarat
This national park is a great place to see lions in their natural habitats because the lion population has grown over the years. Visit this park between December and March for the best weather and consider taking a jeep safari tour. You can book a wildlife tour package to see the rare Asiatic lions, as well as hyenas, Gir foxes, brown fish owls, and other native creatures. This is the only place outside of Africa where you can see lions roaming free.
Mudumalai National Park, Tamil Nadu
A South Indian destination worth adding to your travel bucket list is Mudumalai National Park in Tamil Nadu. There are tigers in the jungle here, as well as peacocks, wild boar, monkeys, deer, and other creatures. The park is about 93 miles northwest of Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu and shares boundaries with Kerala and Karnataka. This par is home to hundreds of species of birds, including some that are critically endangered. Top attractions to see here include the elephant feeding camp, Moyar River Gorge, Madumali Museum, and Pykara Lake.
Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh
It’s also worth checking out Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh, which is the central Indian region and a famous jungle. This is a place where you can go deep in the forest and feel the remoteness of this park. There are a few different parts and zones to this park, so you may want to book a jeep tour to make your way to various sections. This park is the setting for the famous novel, The Jungle Book, by Rudyard Kipling. Plan your visit to Kanha National Park between November and June.
Bandipur National Park, Karnataka
Another great park to visit in India is Bandipur National Park, which is a wilderness area in South India. There are many animals that live in this protected area, including sloth bears, elephants, gaur, tigers, leopards, and elephants. The park is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and is popular among tourists making their way between Ooty and Mysore.
Jaldapara National Park, West Bengal
This national park is famous for being home to the Asiatic one-horned rhinoceros. It also is a savannah with tall elephant grasses and home to elephants, tigers, wild pigs, and spotted deer. Bird watching is a popular activity in the park because more than 240 species of birds are found here. Some places to stay in the area include the Hollong Tourist Lodge, Jaldapara Tourist Lodge, and Holliday Home Jaldapara. This park is in the Alipurduar District of West Bengal near the Indo-Bhutan border. It has been a national park since 2012.